Sahvir Wheeler provides health update following return vs. Arkansas

While No. 6 Kentucky fell 75-73 against No. 18 Arkansas, things aren’t all bad in Lexington. Star guards TyTy Washington and Sahvir Wheeler were back in the lineup for the first time since the 76-63 loss to Tennessee on Feb. 15.

The pair of point guards combined for 24 points and 8 assists, but shot a combined 8-25 from the floor. Wheeler, who admitted to the slow start in the first half, had three turnovers himself.

“Yeah, definitely [there was some rust],” Wheeler said after the game. “I agree. I feel like TyTy and I had some of that rust when we first got into the game, especially in the first half. But after that, I think our play and our energy picked up in the second half. Just getting into a rhythm, feeling like it was back to normal. We made a run, we got the lead and it was kind of back and forth throughout the whole game.”

After missing the two previous games because of injury, Wheeler and Washington were the first Kentucky substitutions to jump in the game at the 16:52 mark following an explosive start from the Razorbacks — it marked the first this season that the two have not been in the starting lineup in games in which they were made available to play. The rust was apparent.

“I haven’t asked them how they are doing after the game but they were rusty to get started and then they got going. The way we started the game — unaggressiveness,” Calipari said. “It puts a sad look on your face. You’re getting knocked around. They got every 50/50 ball. But here’s what I said at halftime. I walked in half-laughing. Well, I was laughing. We’re down six, guys. We’re 0-for-8, haven’t made a three-pointer. Think about how you personally played. And we’re down six. Let’s just play. Let’s just see what happens.”

With two games left in the regular season (vs. Ole Miss, at Florida) for the Wildcats, they still have a chance to jump in front of Auburn and Arkansas for an SEC regular season championship, a one-seed in the SEC Tournament and even a one-seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Their next game is Tuesday, March 1 at 7 p.m. at home agains Ole Miss. The game is set to be broadcasted live on ESPN and the ESPN app.